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Open Economies - Bridging the gap

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Bridging the gap 

At 21.09 +0200 01-08-07, Mikael Pawlo wrote:
>Dear all,
>I will just try to spark some discussion, here is a few points to consider.
>I think they are worth to address to try to find some common ground (or
>than again, maybe we will not) to take action from.

No major reaction, but I will try to address some issues to get the
discussion going. I hope you do not mind me doing this.

>1. Is there a gap? What is it then?

Yes. There is a gap in countries and between countries and between
continents in respect of:
1. computers
2. access
3. general IT knowledge and
4. use.

If one of the factors 1-4 is missing in any given community, the digital
gap will eventually evolve. In a community with high rates of 1-4, the
digital development will flourish.

>2. Where is the gap? Are we talking about the gap worldwide in developing
>countries or even on a national level in welfare countries with internal
>differences and gaps (i e USA or Sweden)?

I think the gap is relative and could be applied and considered both on a
domestic and international level.

>3. Should we bridge the gap? (Should you answer no to this question, the
>rest of the questions may not be useful.)

I think we should consider the world throught the John Rawls veil of
ignorance. Rawls is well-known to all scholars of jurisprudence and most
likely all of you, but just to make sure we are on the same page: the basic
idea is that the choice of the pinciples of social organisation is to be
made by persons who have no idea of the actual position they will occupy in
society or of their interests and inclinations. Rawls is wideley critised,
maybe best by Nozick, but I still consider his ideas as a good tool and
framework for any regulatory or policy discussions.

Seen through the eyes of Rawls we should bridge the gap at least if we do
enjoy the benefits of a digital society.

>4. Do we have a responsibility as humans to brdige the gap? Why / why not?

Yes, according to the answer to 3.

>5. Are there any negative consequences of bridging the gap? Do we (i e the
>rich filthy bastards) profit from the differences?

Iqbal Mohomed has addressed this issue very well in his submission.

>6. Are there any positive consequences of bridging the gap Do we (again the
>rich filthy bastards) profit from minimising the differences?

Iqbal Mohomed has addressed this issue very well in his submission.

>7. How do we bridge the gap in short time with lack of funds?

I think we should be very generous with our knowledge. It will not cost us
much to set up web sites spreading our knowledge and works to other
communities. The open source and free software movement could be the most
important step towards digitalisation of Africa. Sweden is one country
spending a lot of funds on financial aid directed towards developing
countries (often referred to the Group 77 countries). Maybe we and other
nations should refocus and educate and ditribute or knowledge instead of
cash.

At the United Nations Millenium Summit the prime minister of India, Shri
Vitar Bhapal Vhajpayee stated:

"A 'New Economy' drives the world today. Yet, nearly a quarter of the
people this Assembly represents have neither prospered nor gained from
these developments. Often,they find themselves further marginalised and
more vulnerable as development economics gives way to unbridled market
economics and social objectives are erased by profit motives."

>8. How do we bridge the gap in long time with lack of funds?

Actually, the same answer as 7. We also probably could donate a lot of
outranged equipment to the Group 77 countries or to less fortunate people
in our own contries.

>9. How do we bridge the gap in long time with lots of funds?

I thikn we should address these issues through the United Nations or a
similar organisation and fund a special program aiming to wire the world.

>10. Name one measure you can initiate today to bridge the gap. Will you do it?

I have translated the GNU GPL v 2 into Swedish, which - to my surprise -
was very much appreciated by Swedes lacking knowledge of the English
language. If you are not a programmer, easy things like this could actually
improve the world, although it may seem simple and naive on the verge to
pathetic. I have also published some of my works online, which has turned
out to be helpful to a few people. It is not a huge effort, but if we all
do something it could have some impact. You do not have to go into Pay it
forward-sleazy movies extremes .-)

My new task will be to write easy to grasp guidelines to use computers with
free software or open source software. It will cost me a few hours, but
hopefully someone will be helped.

>P.S. Will someone please throw Al Hammondof the list? D.S.

Thanks Wendy, for your quick action.

If anyone read this far, I am very impressed. Thank you for your attention.

Best Regards

Mikael Pawlo

_________________________________________________________________________

  ICQ:35638414                              mailto:mikael@pawlo.com
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